To the editor,
Re: B.C. extends freeze on rent increases to July 2021 as second wave of COVID-19 continues, Nov. 9.
Is the B.C. government freezing hydro rates? Are they freezing municipal taxes and fees? Are they freezing the cost of plumbers, electricians and decorators? No. The only thing they are freezing is rents. It’s easy to attack landlords since society generally views them with disdain, and from a vote standpoint there are far more tenants than landlords.
Today’s landlords are business people just try to make a living like everybody else. Why does the battle to control rental costs fall solely on the their shoulders? If the government wants to help renters in need, they should direct funds to those specific cases and the cost should be borne by all taxpayers. Freezing all rents, even for well off tenants, and forcing landlords to to pick up the cost is unfair. I think government policies should be be based on fairness and not make a scapegoat out of landlords. And no, I am not now nor have I ever been a landlord.
S.I. Petersen, Nanaimo
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